PM Shahbaz Sharif Praises IFC’s Role in Boosting Private Investment in Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif lauded the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its contributions toward fostering private sector investment in Pakistan during a high-level meeting with Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director and Executive Vice President.

The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and other senior officials, focused on IFC’s ongoing and upcoming investment initiatives in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister welcomed the World Bank Group’s (WBG) newly launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026-2035, which commits an unprecedented $40 billion to Pakistan. This includes $20 billion in sovereign lending from the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD), while IFC will mobilize another $20 billion for private sector investments.

Shahbaz Sharif urged IFC to expand its investment portfolio in key sectors such as infrastructure, airport outsourcing, agriculture, IT, mining, climate resilience, healthcare, and water & sanitation. He emphasized the importance of export-led growth and called for accelerating Pakistan’s economic digitization, including the Federal Board of Revenue’s digital transformation efforts.

Makhtar Diop echoed the importance of increased private sector participation in roads, power transmission lines, airport services, and modernizing wheat storage infrastructure, including silos to boost exports. He also stressed the need for private investment in water, health, and sanitation to ensure a healthier workforce for sustainable economic growth.

Diop acknowledged Pakistan’s strong engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ongoing economic reforms, which have bolstered investor confidence. He assured IFC’s continued commitment to aligning its investment strategies with Pakistan’s development priorities.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of human capital development, particularly in youth skill training programs, and welcomed IFC’s enhanced focus on Pakistan’s priority sectors. Diop expressed IFC’s willingness to strengthen cooperation and thanked the Pakistani government for its support.

This engagement marks another step in Pakistan’s strategy to attract private investment and enhance economic stability through global partnerships.